Troy University senior Ashlyn Williams was named the Preseason Pitcher of the Year by the Sun Belt Conference in voting done by the nine league head coaches prior to the start of the season.

Williams already holds most of the University’s career records, and she looks to add to those this season.

The Hattiesburg, Miss. native is the school’s all-time leader in wins (74), appearances (139), complete games (84), innings pitched (823.2) and strikeouts (1,017) – a category in which she was among the nation’s best last season. She is just off the pace in earned run average (1.90 – ninth all-time) and shutouts (17 – tied for first) at the school all-time.

Last season, the senior finished the year with a 21-22 record and a 2.45 earned run average. However, opponents hit just .212 against Williams last season, while she struck out a school record 402 batters – an increase from 312 during her sophomore season.

League coaches picked the Trojans to finish third in the conference. The Trojans received 55 total votes, placing them behind near unanimous favorite Louisiana Lafayette (80) and FIU (69) – two teams that made the NCAA Tournament last season.

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